Lighting fixture



Aug. 18 1925; 1,549,771 P. M. HOTCHKIN LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed June 18. 2 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

' J'zdemZZr," Mmiivr Aug. 18,1925.

v P; M. HOTCHKIN LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed June 181 1923 2 Sheets-Shea 2 Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

UNITED STATES PAUL M. HOTCHKIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LIGHTING FIXTURE.

Application filed June 18,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL M. Ho'roHKrN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lighting Fixtures. of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is related to lighting fixtures for electrical illumination whether of the direct or indirect type.

In the construction of such fixtures it is desirable to support the glass bowl in the correct position and relation to the lamp or lamps with as little metal work and expense as possible. This minimizes thecosts of manufacture and enhances the appearance also of the fixtures by eliminating to a maximum degree the unsightly metal accessories which usually are visible at the exterior of the glass bowls, but which heretofore have been essential for the proper suspension or support of the bowls.

Furthermore, in those fixtures wherein are employed indirect luminous bowls, it is desirable to prevent to the fullest extent the settling of dust therein, thereby to render the bowl more sightly and to promote its efficiency in the transmission and diflusion of light.

The present invention seeks to accomplish the foregoing ends. It aims to provide a novel construction of fixture in which is included a unique form of attaching clip for effectually supporting the glass bowl in proper relation to the lamp or lamps, which attaching clip not only functions as a supporting medium, but, when exposed to view, also provides a highly ornamental accessory to the fixture and thus precludes unsightly appearance at the point where the same is applied to the bowl.

It further aims to provide a lighting fixture with which may be utilized indirect luminous bowls without liability of accumulation or settling of dust therein to render the bowls unsightly or less efficient. With the elimination of such dust accumulation the transmission and diffusion of light is assured to the highest extent.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood, the invention consisting substantially in the novel construction, combination and arrangement 1923. Serial No. 645,972.

of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is made the basis of the present disclosure. This, however, is not to be taken in a limiting or restrictive sense, the disclosure being intended to delineate to the art an appropriation of the concept and its application to the practical use for which the invention is contemplated.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of a lighting fixture embodying the herein describedinvention, the line of section being indicated at 1-1, Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional plan View, on an enlarged scale, illustrating one of the seats for the attaching clips by which the bowl is supported.

1Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the attaching 0 1p.

Fig. 5 is an edge elevation thereof.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the clip.

Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of one of the ends of one of the supporting arms designed to engage the attaching clip in supporting the bowl.

Referring in detail to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 10 designates a socket shell suspended by a chain 11, or its equivalent, from a canopy or other suitable connection, and said shell 10 has at its sides a plurality of receiving sleeves 12. Adjustably mounted in the sleeves 12, and depending from the socket 10, is a plurality of supporting arms 13. Each of these arms includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending at right angles to the former, the outer extremities of the horizontal portions terminating in T-shaped heads 14. The supporting arms 13 are formed of material having inherent resiliency for a purpose which will presently appear.

The numeral 15 designates the bowl of the fixture. Where the latter is of the direct lighting type, the bowl being formed of glass, as usual, the light from the'lamps associated with the socket shell 10 will be diffused directly by the bowl 15. If the fixture be intended for indirect illumination, a reflector 16 of suitable construction, but

preferably of that type formed of glass having a silver mirror backing, is associated with the bowl 15, and said reflector 16 is designed to rest upon an inwardly extending supporting roll or rib 17 which is formed adjacent to the open side of the bowl 15, said roll or rib 17 terminating in an annular flange 18. The reflector 16 need not be a complete reflector, and where the fixture is designed to utilize indirect luminous bowls there is associated with the reflector 16 a glass difl usingbowl 19 adapted to fit within the opening of the reflector16. Light, therefore, from'the lamp or lamps associated with the socket will pass through and be diffused by the bowl 19. and in turn be diffused by the bowl which serves to enclose the reflector 16 and the diffusing bowl l9.

At spaced points about the flange 18 is formed a series of depressions 20. Each of these depressions '20 constitutes a seat for an attaching clip 21whicli serves as the connecting medium between the bowl 15 and one of the supporting arms13. The depressions 20'also serve to prevent movement of the clips 21 around the flange 18,"so that said clips are anchored at fixed points on the flange l8, and thereby positioned to facilitate ready attachment of the arms 13 to the clips. The construction of the clips 21 is shown in detail inFigs. 4, and (3. Each of the same preferably is formed of thin metal of such gauge as to yield readily under pressure, and thus to be bent in order to be conformed with the contour of the supporting roll or rib 17 and its flange 18. The clip'21'i1'1cludes a body portion 22 from which rises a pair of vertical hooks 23 separated sufliciently to provide a notch 24 therebetween. The body 22 is substantially U- shaped in cross-section in order to fit 'over and receive the flange 18 of the bowl, and at its inner face the body 22 is also provided with a pair of spaced engaging fingers 25 which are designed 'to lie upon the roll 17 and when bent'into engagement therewith to anchor the attaching clip to the bowl. The length of the'clip 21 conforms substantially to the length ofthe'depression'ao in which it is seated. This depression is of such depth, and the metal of the clip 21 is of such gauge, that when the clip is'seat ed in the depressio'1r20' it fits snugly therein and doesfnotex'te'nd beyond the plane of the inner face of the flange 18 at the ends of the depression 20. Therefore, the edges of the reflector 16 when resting upon the roll or rib 17 fit snugly against the latter, and no space is formed between the reflector 16 and said roll of rib. Consequently, there is no space for admission of dust between the reflector and the bowl, and by reason of the attaching clips 21 fitting snugly within their respective depressions 20, they fill the de pressions, and dust is prevented passing through the depressions to the interior of the bowl 15.

The notch 24 receives the outer end of the supporting arm 13 which is associated with the clip 21 at each suspension point of the bowl 15, and the head 14 on the arm 13 fits under and is engaged with the hooks 23 of the clip. Because of the inherent resiliency of the arms 13, their elasticity is exerted to draw the heads 14 towards the center of the bowl, and this action maintains the heads 14 in locked engagement, with the re sp'ective attaching clips. In the event that it is desired to release the arms 13 from this engagement, outward 'pressu're"is exerted thereon, as well as downward pressure, to free the heads 14 from engagement with the hooks 23, whereupon release of the arms 13 may be efl'ected. w

The outerface of the body 22 of each of the clips 21 may be'rendered ornamental. in any appropriate manner, such as by stamping or embossing, or the same might. be decorated to any desired extent, and it is this outer face only of the body 22' which is visible at the exterior of the bowl 15. The only metallic accessory to the bowl is the clip 21, so that the cost of production is minimized, and the elimination of unsightly accessories at the exterior of the'b'owl is thus effected. By reason of the pliant characteristics of the attaching clips they are easily bent into shapeto conform to the contour of the bowl, and the engaging fingers 25 of each clip serve to anchor effectively the clip on the bowl, and to insure proper support of the latter from the arms 13.

By reason of the depressions 20, and the seating of the clips 21"snugly therein, there is provided a substantially dust-proof joint between the reflector 16 and the bowl 15, so that the latter is freed from accumulations of dust which otherwise might enter therein.

The use of the reflector 16 maybe dis pens'ed with, to change the characteristics of the lighting fixture in its illuminating function,'without impairing the utility of the attaching clip as a connecting medium between the" bowl 15 and the supporting arms y I claim:

1. In a lighting fixture of the class described, the combination with a bowl, and a phu'ality of supporting members, of an attaching clip associated with each of said supportingmemberswhereby the latter may be connected to the bowl, the latte'r'being provided at spaced points with seats for receiving said attaching clips, and means affordin detachable connection of the clips with the bowl; i 2. In a lighting fixture of the class described, the combination with a bowl having an annular flange provided with a series of depressions, and a plurality of supporting said clips including body portion adapted to embrace the edge of the bowl, pliable fingers carried by said body portion adapted to be bent into engagement with-the bowl, and a plurality of upstanding spaced hooks also carried by said body portion and pro viding a notch therebetween adapted to re ceive the engaging head of one of said supporting arms, whereby to afford detachable connection between-the supporting arm and said bowl.

4. In a lighting fixture of the class described, the combination with a bowl having an annular flange provided with a series of depressions, a reflector seated upon said flange, and a plurality of supporting arms, of an attaching clip seated within each of said depressions and embracing said flange, the flange co-operating with said reflector to aflord a substantially dustproof joint between the reflector and the bowl, and the attaching clips also co-operating with said reflector to prevent admission of dust through said depressions, means for detachably connecting the attaching clips to said bowl, and means afiording detachable engagement of the supporting arms with said clips.

5. In a lighting fixture of the class de scribed, the combination with a bowl, and a plurality of supporting arms each of which 3 provided with an engaging head, of an attaching clip for each of said arms comprising a substantially U-shaped body portion adapted to embrace the edge of the bowl, pliable fingers carried by the inner side of said body portion and engaging the inner face of the bowl to hold the clip in position thereon, and a plurality of upstanding hooks arranged at the upper edge of the body portion spaced apart to form a notch therebetween to receive the engaging head of one of said supporting arms, whereby to aflord detachable connection between the supporting arms and said bowl.

6. An attaching clip of the class described, comprising a substantially U-shaped body portion for engagement with the edge of an illuminating fixture bowl, pliable anchoring fingers at the lower edge of one side of said body portion adapted to be bent into contact with a face of said bowl for holding the clip in position thereon, and a pair of upstanding engaging hooks arranged at the upper edge of said body portion and spaced apart to form a notch therebetween to receive the suspending means for said bowl, whereby to afl'ord detachable connection between the suspending means and the bowl.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

PAUL M. I-IOTCHKIN. 

